First Tejas-Mk1A from Nashik completes maiden flight, pre-induction weapon trials on

Nashik: The first Tejas-Mk1A fighter aircraft produced at defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)'s Nashik complex completed its maiden flight on Friday. The formal induction of Tejas-Mk1A into the Indian Air Force (IAF), however, will depend on the successful completion of ongoing weapon and radar integration trials.

The aircraft was rolled out after defence minister Rajnath Singh formally inaugurated the LCA and HTT-40 (trainer aircraft) assembly complexes here.

HAL CMD DK Sunil, on the sidelines, said the PSU was carrying out the weapon trials and that the results were positive. "I expect that in the coming months, we will be able to complete this task, and then we will be in a position to deliver the aircraft," he said.

Stating that the aircraft was ready structurally, he said: "...Any changes, whether it's the weapon aiming, the radar, or EW, it's going to be software-related. We can quickly upgrade the software to the latest standard and deliver."

Sunil reiterated that HAL has built the capacity and if the weapon trials are successful, deliveries will follow quite easily.

Nashik now hosts the third LCA production line and the second HTT-40 production line. The rollout event, which included a traditional water cannon salute for the Mk1A, comes even as HAL races to meet Tejas-Mk1A delivery timelines for the IAF.

The aircraft must clear trials involving the Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, short-range missiles, and laser-guided bombs.

The pre-induction tests will also validate integration with the Israeli-origin ELTA ELM-2052 radar and fire-control system. Earlier tests had encountered software-related snags, prompting modifications before final validation.

The Mk1A rollout from Nashik is part of HAL's broader production ramp-up plan. In addition to its two operational lines in Bengaluru, HAL has established a third line at Nashik, designed to produce up to eight aircraft annually.

The PSU has also developed a parallel private-sector supply chain — VEM Technologies (centre fuselage), Alpha (rear fuselage), and L&T (wings) — to support an additional six aircraft each year. Once stabilised, this ecosystem is projected to enable annual production of 30 fighters from 2026-27.

HAL is currently grappling with delays in the delivery of 99 GE F404 engines contracted in Aug 2021 for Rs 5,375 crore. Only four engines have been received so far. GE has assured the supply of eight more engines by March 2026 and around 20 engines per year thereafter. Despite the lag, HAL maintains that it has managed to keep production moving by rotating available engines for test flights.

The initial order for 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, cleared in 2021, was to be delivered between 2024 and 2028. In Aug 2025, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved an additional 97 Mk1A fighters for Rs 66,500 crore, taking the total order to 180 aircraft.

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has repeatedly flagged the urgency of new inductions, saying the IAF is "very badly off in numbers" and needs at least 40 fighters a year to sustain combat readiness. HAL officials have said they are confident of meeting this requirement once the production ecosystem stabilises and integration issues are resolved.

Friday's event also saw a formation flying of the Tejas-Mk1A, HTT-40 and Su30-Mki. HAL has invested a total of Rs 660 crore — Rs 500 crore for LCA line — for the HTT-40 and LCA production lines together.